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&?M.^lT2ijfi' "< *4.i ,Vf- a ^ x * should be taken however, to commence no work . which is not of sufficient importance to the commerce of the country to be viewed as national in its character. But works which have been commenced should not be discontinued until com- < pleted, as otherwise the sums expended will, in < most, eases, be lost. The report from the JNavy Department will inform you of the prosperous cotfdition of the branch of the public service committed to its charge. It presents to youi consideration many i topics and suggestions of which 1 ask your ap- < proval. It exhibits an unusual degree of activity in the operations of the Department during the i past year. The preparations for the Japan ex i podition, to which 1 have already alluded ; the i arrangements made for the exploration and sur- < vey of the China Seas, the Northern Pacific and : Behring's Straits; the incipient measures taken towards a reconr.oissance of the continent of Africa eastward of Liberia ; the preparation for j an early examination of the tributaries of the ; i J ~ river .l?a j'laia, which n icteni uam- ui mt jjivvisional chiet of the Argetine Confederation has i opened to navigation ; all these enterprises, and j the means by which they are proposed to be ac- i complished. have commanded my full approba- i tioD, and I have no doubt will be productive of I most useful results. Two officers of the navy < were heretofore instructed to explore the whole < extent of the Amazon river, from the confines of < Peru to its mouth. The return of one of them j has placed in the possession of the Government an interesting and valuable account of the char- I acter and resources of a country abounding in i the materials of commerce, and which, if opened i to the industry of the world, will prove an inex- 1 haustible fund of wealth. The report of this ex- 1 ploration will be communicated to you as soon ! as it is .completed. * * * * i In former messages I have, among, other i things, respectfully recommended to the conside- i ation of Congress the propriety and necessity of further legislation for the protection and punishment of foreign Consuls residing in the Uni- < % C* # O ted States; to revive with certain modifications I the act of 10th March, 1838, to restrain unlawful military expeditions against the inhabitants 1 of conterminous States or territories; for the'pre- I servation and protection from mutilation or theft i of the papers, records, aud archives of the na- ! tion ; tor auttionsing tne surplus revenue xo ue < applied to the payment of the public debt in * advance of the time when it will become due; ' for the establishment of land offices for the sale < of the public lands in California and the Territo- 1 ry of Oregon ; for the construction of a road from the Mississippi valley to the Pacigc ocean; i for the establishment of a bureau of agriculture for the promotion of that interest, perhaps the : most important in the country; for the preven- ; tion of frauds upon the Government in applica- i tions for pensions and bounty lands; for the es- i tablishment of a uniform fee bill, prescribing a specific compensation for every service required of clerks, district attorneys and marshals; for I auuioriziug uu auuiiiouui rfjjuucui 01 iiiuuuieu men, for the defence of our frontiers against the < Indians, and for fulfilling our treaty stipulations with Mexico-to defend her citizens against the Indians "with equal'diligence"ana energy as our "i ownfor determining the relative rank between the naval and civil officers of our public ships, < and between the officers of the Army and Navy < in the various grades, of each ; for recognizing the naval establish men t by fixing the number of 1 officers in each grade, and providing for a retired I list upon reduced pay of those unfit for active I duty; for prescribing and regulating punisu- < ments in the navy; for the appointment of a i commission to revise the public statutes of the I United States, bv arranging them in order, sup- I plying deficiencies, correcting incongruities, sim- ] plifying their language, aud reporting them to 1 Congress for its final action, aud for the estnb- < lishment of a commission to adjudicate and settle private claims against the United States. I s am uot aware, however, that any of these sub- 1 jects have been finally acted upon by Congress. 1 Without repccting.the reasons for legislation 011 I these subjects which have been assigned in for- >. raer messages, I respectfully recommend them again to your favorable consideration. ***** ( I think it due to the several Executive Depart < meats of this Government, to bear testimony to i the efficiency and integrity with which they are < couducted. With all the careful superintendence < which it is possible for the Heads of those Departments to exercise, still the due administration l and guardianship of the public money must ve- i ry much depend on the vigilance, intelligence, i and fidelity of the subordinate officers and clerks, and especially on those entrusted with the set- i tlement and adjustment of claims and accounts. I am gratified to believe that they have general- < ly performed their duties faithfully and well. Thev are appointed to rmard the aonroarhes to < ? < i o rr ' 7". *" the public Treasury, and they occupy positions that expo?e them to all the temptations and so- < ductions which the cupidity of speculators and ] fraudulent claimants can prompt them to cm- i p,(>y- . It will be but a wise precaution to protect the i i Government against that source of mischief and corruption, as far as it can be done, by the enactment of all proper legal penalties. The laws, in this respect, are supposed to be defective, and I therefore deem it my duty to call your attention to the subject, and to recommend that provision be made by law for the punishment not only of those who shall accept bribes, but also , of those who shall either promise, give, or offer to give to any ot those officers or clerks a bribe or reward touching or relating to any matter of their official action or duty. It has been the uniform policy of this Government from its foundation to the present day, to abstain from all interference in the domestic nflfmrtt r\f nthnr Tt._ ?v,v..^. ..oiiv.18, iuu consequence lias been that while the nations of Europe have been engaged in desolating wars, our country has pursued its peaceful course to unexampled prosperi ty and happiness. The wars in which we have been compelled to engage, in defence of the rights and honor of the country have been fortunately of short duration. During the terrific contest of nation, which succeeded the French revolution, we-were enabled by the wisdom and firmness of President Washington tomaintaian our ncutrality. While other nations were down into this wide sweeping whirlpool we sat quiet and un*1* ' V. i !"* W Tl " nf -Y \\ ; !. , , r'. r-arm was wasted by disease or perished by hundred- | w of thousands upon the battle-field, the youth of 1 this favored land were permitted to enjoy the 1 blessings of peace beneath the paternal roof.? i While the States of Europe incurred enormous debts, under the burden of which their subjects ; still groan and which must absorb no small i part of the product of the honest industry of < those coutries for generations to come, the Uni- i ted States have once been enabled to exhibit the >. proud spectacle of a nation free from public debt; i and if permitted to pursue our prosperous way i do the same again. 1 But it is now said by some that this policy must be changed. Europe is no longer scpara- < ted from us by a voyage of months, but steam ) navagation has brought her within a few days' I sail our shores. Wo see more of her movement'', < and take a deeper interest in her controversies, i Although no one proposes that we should I join the fraternity of potentates who have for ( ages lavished the blood and treasure of their i subjects in maintaining "the balance of power," 1 vet it is said we ought to interfere between con- I ern'oraiirlK lllfl tlifiir RllhlPftS. for the ( bVIIUIil^ CVIVIVI^UW ",,x* *"v" .1 ? purpose of overthrowing the monarchies of Eu- j rope and establishing in their place republican institutions. It is alleged that we have hereto- 1 Tore pursued a different course from a sense of i our weakness, but that now our conscious strength ( Jictatcs a change of policy, and that it is conse- < quently our duty to mingle in these contests and 1 lid those who are struggling for liberty. < This is a most seductive but dangerous appeal i to the generous sympathies of freemen. Enjoy- i ing as we do the blessings of a free government, ; there is no man who has an American heart that ivould not rejoice to see these blessings extended -II ..L.. ur. * (Ko LU ail OlIRT UHUUIJS. > > tr liiuuui muiicoo tuv struggle between the oppressed and his oppressor anywhere without the deepest sympathy for the former, and the most anxious desire for his triumph. Nevertheless, is it prudent or is it wise to involve ourselves in these foreign wars ? [s it indeed true that we have heretofore refrained from doing so merely from the degrading mo- i Live of conscious weakness ? For the honor of the patriots who have gone < before us, I cannot admit it. Men of the Revo- i lution who drew the s word against the opprcs- ; dons of the mother country, and pledged to i Heaven "their lives, their fortunes, and their sa- i :red honor" to maintin their freedom, could nev?r have been actuated by so unworthy a motive. Fhey knew no weakness or fear where right or iluty pointed the way, and it is a libel upon their fair fame for us, while we enjoy the blessings for which they so nobly fought and bled, to insinu?4 A it .1 IV It* The truth is that the course which they pursued was dictated by a stern sense of international justice, by a statesmanlike prudence and afar seeing wisdom, looking not merely to the present necessities, but to the permanent safety and interest of the country. They knew that the world is governed less by sympathy than by reason and force; that it was not possible for this nation to become a " propagandist" of free principles without arraying against it the combined powers of huropc; and that the result was more likely to he the overthrow of republican liberty here than tirei e.? ?? ?-? History has been written in vain for those who :an doubt this. France had no sooner establishjd a rej>ublican form of government than she manifested a desire to force its blessings on all the world. Her own historian informs us that, hearing of some petty acts of tyranny in a neighboring principality, " The National Convention declared that she would afford succor and fraternity to all nations who wished to recover their liberty ; and she gave it in charge to the executive power to give orders to the generals of the French armies to aid all citizens who might have been or should be oppressed in the cause of libjrtv." Ilere was the false step which led to her sub sequent misfortunes. She soon found herself involved in war with all the rest of Europe. In less than ten years her government was changed from a republic to an empire; and finally after shedding rivers of blood, foreign powers restored her exiled dynasty, and exhausted Europe sought peace and repose in the unquestioned ascendancy of monarchic "I principles. Let us learn wislom from her example. Let us remember that revolutions do not always establish freedom. Our own free institutions were not the offspring of our Revolution. They existed before. They were planted in the free charters of self-government under which the English colonies grew up, and our Revolution only freed us from the dominion of a foreign power, whose government was at variance with those institutions. But European nations have U.1 tin ciif?li i ro 1 n 1 tir* fnt* mz-inr on/1 every effort to establish it by bloody revolutions lias been, and must, without that preparation, con Liu lie to be a failure. Liberty, unregulated by law, degenerates into anarchy, which soon be:oincs the most horrid of nil despotisms. Our policy is wisely to govern ourselves, and thereby to set sucli an example of national justice, prosperity, and true glory, as shall teach to all nalions the blessings of self-government, and the unparalleled enterprise and success'of a free people. We live in an ago of progress, and ours is emphatically a country of progress. Within the last half century, the number of States in this Union has nearly doubled, the population has almost quadrupled, and our boundaries have been extended from the Mississippi to the Pacific.? Our territory is chequered ov?r with railroads, and furrowed with canals. The inventive talent of our country is excited to the highest pitch, and the numerous applications :or patents for valuable improvements distinguished this age and this people from all others. The genius of one American has enabled our commerce to move against wind and tide, and that of another has annihilated distance in the transmission of intelligence. The whole country is full of enterprise. Our common schools are diffusing intelligence among the people, and our industry is fast accumulating the comforts and i:r? This is in part owing to our peculiar position to our fertile soil, and comparatively spar e population; but much of it is also owing to the popular instulions under which we live, to the freedom which every man feels to engage in any useful pursuit, according to his ta--t?- or incline. r ! i ' i !!< that his person [ ; w.'! 1 . (.. } ' I hv lllO la ' Hut whatever may be the cuueo of this unparal- i leled growth in population, intelligence and wealth, one thing is clear, that the Government must keep pace with the progress of the people. It must participate in their spirit of enterprise, - * " ? ' -- a. Lin. and while it exacts ooeaiencc u> iue i??a, restrains all unauthorized invasions of the rights of neighboring States, it should foster and protect home industry, and lend its powerful strength to the improvement of such means of intercommunication as are necessary to promote our internal commerce, and strengthen the ties which bind us together as a people. It is not strange, however much it may be regretted, that such an exuberance of enterprise diould cause some individuals to mistake change for progress, and the invasion of the rights of others, for national prowess and glory. The for mer are constantly agitating for some change in the organic law, or urging new and untried theories of human rights. The latter are ever ready to engage in any wild crusade against a neighboring people, regardless of the justice of the enterprise, and without looking at the fatal consequences to ourselves and to the cause of popular government. Such expeditions, however, are often stimulated by mercenary individuals, who expect to ;hare the profit or plunder of the enterprise without exposing themselves to danger, and are led i>u ly some irresponsible foreigner, who abuses the hospitality of our own Government by seduoing the young and ignorant to join in his scheme of personal ambition or revenge, under the false and delusive pretence of extending the area of freedom. These reprehensible aggressions but retard the true progress of our nation and tarnish its fair fame. They should, therefore, receive the indignant frowns of every good citizen who sincerely loves his country and takes a pride in its pros perity and honor. Our Constitution, though not perfect, is doubtless the best that ever was formed. Therefore let every proposition to change it be well weigh ed, and if found beneficial, cautiously adopted. Every patriot will rejoice to sec its authority so exerted as to advance the prosperity and honor of the nation, whilst he^will watch with jealousy any attempt to mutilate this charter of our lib erties, or pervert its ]>owers to acts of aggression or injustice. Thus shall conservatism and progress blend their harmonious action in preserving the form and spirit of the Constitution, and at the same lime carry forward the great improvements of the country with a rapidity and energy which freemen only can display. In closing this, my last annual communication, permit me, fellow citizens, to congratulate you on the prosperous condition of our beloved country. Abroad its relations with all foreign powers are friendly: its rights are respected, and its high place in the family of nations cheerfully recognized. At home we enjoy an amount of happiness, public and private, which has probably never fallen to the lot of any other people. Besides anording to our own citizens a degree ot prosperity, of which on so large a scele I know of no oilier instance, our country is annually affording a refuge and a home to multitudes, altogether We owe these l>Ie?sings, under Ilcaven, to the happy Constitution and Government which were bequeathed to us by our fathers, and which it is our sacred duty to transmit in a'l their integrity to our children. "We must all consider it a great distinction and privilege to have been chosen by the people to bear a part in the administration ol such a Government. Called by an unexpected dispensation to its highest trust, at a season ol embarrassment and alarm, I entered upon its ar duous duties with extreme diffidence. I claim only to have discharged them to the best ot an humble ability*, with n single eye to the public good; aud it is with devout gratitude, in retiring from office, that I leave the country in a state ol peace and prosperity. Millard Fil*lmore. Washington, December G, 1852. South-Carolina Legislature. December 6, 1852. SENATE. Mr. Chesnut, from the Committee on Agriculture, made a favorable report upon the bill to alA .1 - .1 ~~A A : A 1 _ A _ -A A - -1 A - - ler auu arnciiu an act euuueu an act iu cnarici the Northeastern Railroad Company; ordered for consideration to-tnorrow and to be printed. Mr. Mazyck, from the Committee on Finance and Ranks, reported a substitute for a bill to establish a Rank in the town of YVinnsboro; alsc submitted the petition of John T. Coleman, tc be refunded a double tax ; also a favorable report on a bill to charter the Western Rank of South Carolina, in the town of Anderson. Mr. Porter moved to call up two bills which had been temporarily laid on the table, viz: a bill to recharter the Union Rank of Charleston, and a bill to recharter the Planters and Mechanics' Rank of Charleston; agreed to. The bill for the recharter of the Union Rank was first taken up and read section by section and some amendments adopted; bill agreed tc and ordered to the House of Reprcsentatiues. A bill to amend the charter of the Planter? and Mechanics' Rank of Charleston, received its second reading, and after the introduction of some amendments, was ordered to the House of Rep rosentntivcs. Mr. Griffin moved to suspend the further business of the Senate till 7 o'clock; agreed to. EVENING SESSION. The Senate took up the bill to establish and incorporate a bank in the town of Newberry, which was read section by section. Upon the reading of the 10th section exempting the officers of tho Bank from military duty, Mr. Huey moved that it be stricken out, 011 the ground that as the officers of the bank were engaged in a profitable business, they ought equally with other citizens, to nerform nnhlic <lntv ? lie saw no reason why they should be exempted from the performance of military duty. Mr. Mazyck seconded the motion. He was heartily in favor, he said, of the proposition. lie had made a similar motion last year when batiks weie proposed to be chartered. The custom ol exempting bank directors from militnry duty arose from a false impression that bank directors were public officers, they were 110 such thing.? They were private citizens, engaged, it is true, serving the public in a peculiar way. But so v i iil.-r-, baker* and d< rks in a mercantile establishments. He saw no reason why bankers , should be placed bn a different footing and enjoy special immunities. Mr.' Moofman said the Senate had already come to the conclusion to make the charter of banks unifofm and he saw no reason why the of ficers of one bank should be exempted by law from the performance of military duty, and the officers of another bank be required by law to perform military duty. He hoped no invidious distinctions would be made or allowed by the Senate. He asl^ed no more for the bank of Newberry than had already been granted in the charter of the bank recently proposed to be established in Columbia, and agreed to by the Senate. Mr. McAliley said no such exemption of the officers from military duty had been introduced into the charter of the Chesterville Bank. Mr. Mazyck said that while he was in favor of I ttio nrnnnscd amendment, he thouffht the matter """ l"~l ' tO could be well postponed till another year, when the exemption claimed for the directors.could be stricken out of the charters of all the Banks. Mr. lluey thought it would be better to begin at once. Delays were dangerous. lie should insist on his motion being put, in order that the sense of the Senate might be had upon the subject. The motion was carried in the affirmative. The bill was agreed to and ordered to the House of Representatives. A bill to prevent the obstruction of the free passage of fish up Lynch's Creek received its second reading, and was ordered to t he House of Representatives. Mr. Carew moved to suspend the general orders for the purpose of making a report on the bill to extend the charter of the Bank of the State of South Carolina Report read and ordered for consideration to-morrow. December 7, 1852. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. A hilt to incorporate a Bank in the town of Newberry was received from the Senate and read a first time, and referred. Also,a bill to renew the charter of the Planteis and Mechanics' Bank of this State. Also, a bill to renew the charter of the Union Bank of South Carolina. Also, a bill in relation to the execution if Slaves and Free Persons of color, which was read a third time and passed. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, B. J. Johnson in the chair, and proceeded to the consideration of bills prescribing the manner in which Electors for President and Vice President shall be elected. Mr. Kershaw addressed the house in support of the Electoral Bill. \tr TTi.itf in ?> omjo.Ii nf lllHf?Vi ability, ndvoofl ' " J- ? ? J1 ted the present system of choosing Electors. Mr. Boylston offered the following resolution, that the Committee do rise, report the bill, and ask leave to sit again on the hist Wednesday in November next. Mr. Greene moved to lay the resolution on the table. Negatived. Mr Asl.more moved to amend, by substituting , "that the Committee ask leave to sit again on to-morrow," for the "last Wednesday in November next." Laid on the table. Mr. McGowan was in favor of the original res " imrnun. He statea itr?t ntm intiiin bv the House would not nlace them in a more favorable position with regard to the next Presidential election, which was not attainable by legislation upon the matter in the next year. Mr. Owens expressed himself in favor of the resolution. Mr. Tradcwell was opposed to the resolution, . which he was certain originated in hostility to the bill, .and was resorted to as an expediency to defeat it. The question was then taken on the resolution and carried. The Committee then rose. The consideration -rf the bill to arrange the State into districts for the election of Representatives in the Congress of the United States, was taken up. A series of amendments were offered, contemplating some changes in the arrangement, and severally voted down. A motion was made by Mr. Tucker, that the House do take a recess till 6 o'clock. Lost. The House soon afterwards took a recess till 6 o'clock. EVENING SESSION. Mr. Gadbcrry moved that the bill to re-district the State be recommitted, with instructions, and upon that demanded .ayes and nays. Mr. Greene moved to lay the motion on the i table; which was taken by yeas and nays. Ayes 70, Noes. > The bill was sent to the Senate with some > slight modifications. O 1J No Diminution.?We inserted a paragraph i some days since, by which it would seem that 1 1 the abolition vote has largely decreased during I the past four years. The following from the New York Herald may serve to throw some ' light upon the subject. "As nearly as we can ascertain, the aggregate : vote for Ilale for President is about 150,000. ? > The vote for Van Burcn, the free soil candidate >j in 1848 was in round numbers, 293,000. This | prima facie, would indicate a great falling off in 1! the abolition free soil vote; but it is not so. In II 1848. there were, nerhaus. 100.000 democrats in I ' 'I I ' ! j New York alone, who voted for Van Burcn from ' i a purely factious and personal spite against Gen. Cass. We apprehend that Hale's vote, on the contrary, is as substantially anti-slaverv as that for liirney in 1844; and taking that (some sixty thousand) as a basis, the free soilers have made I again of 80,000, doubling their strength, and thirty per cent, over, in eight, years. This does not indicate the death of the anti-slavery aboliton movement of the North; but when we take into the estimate the fact that a large number of free , soil abolition whigs, following the lead of William H. Seward, voted for General Seott, and that they are ready now for some movement, there is every reason to anticipate an anti-slavery reorganization, in due time, upon a more formidable basis than ever. The Seward organs are al; ready casting about to see how the land lies, and we may expect a combined movement as soon as there is an opening. Let the South stand ? their ground. Affair of Honor.?We learn from the Columbia Palmetto State Banner, that Dr. W. J. Keitt of Orange Parish, and Mr. 0. M. Dantzler, of St. Mathews, exchanged shots on Friday at the North Carolina line. The former gentleman received a flesh wound over the shoulder blade. "THE SEMI-WEEKLY 5 f_ y FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 10.' 1852.: : j LgTT,THO. J. WARREN, Editor.J .. ^ Our Cotton Market. c We lmve no material change to notice In the Cottpp ^ market. The supply has been good and denwifd steady. Princip.ll sales at 7 J to 8i. Charleston quotations 71 tj 9i ?? ? Detention of the Gars.On Wednesday night the Cars did not reach ojij;DeDot until half oast ten o'clock, occasioned in part by the running off of an engine a few miles from Charles* ton, which blocked up the track, and. the up train be*, ing detained beyond their usual time, were obliged to. . make the retrograde movement, whenever fflet by a freight train going down, which we understand i? one of the runniiuj rules on our road. The Camden Cars did not leave that delightful place, the junction, where unfortunately good and evil'spirit?. sometimes coalesce, until after dark, and when they-, reached a short distance this side of Claremont, came in contact with a piece or timoer aDom iu mcncs square, ?, which it is said was laid across the track by some base and reckless villain. It is not possible, or likely, that the ' > T timber could have fallen across the road by accident, as ?v?i Mr. McEwn, a superintendent, had passed up-- a short '.? It time before, in a hand car, and if any obstruction' had i?rt been in the way would certainly have discovered ifc ??'f? Several additional regulations, in our judgment, arc essential, to the preservation of human life, and the pe- ' " cuniary interest of the Company. A double trackshould by all means be made between Charleston and Branchville, at least, and one from that point tO 'Cohim. i bia?the increased amount of running on thesley&ds T.fl render it imperative that something should be 'dime for protection of life and property. _ The amount of projh erty destroyed for the want of these, would have paid, , or nearly so, the expense of building a double track all ^ the way, to say nothing ofthe loss of human life, which . is beyond computation. If it is possible some means should be adopted by which villainy could be detected , and place at least beyond the whims and caprices of, one base creature, the contingencies of accident, and , ? the destruction of the lives of perhaps hundreds. These matters are well worth a thought or two, and we hope , J at the Annual Meeting of the Stockliolders in Charles- . I ton next February the matter will be duly considered. ... I Matters in Columbia. The Commencement of the 8oulh Carolina College came off on Monday. One of the largest crowds which we have seen for many days assembled at the Chapjel to witness these interesting ceremonies?not so much we apprehend for the purpose of hearing, as to see and be seen. Such an array of beauty and fashion is rarely to bo met with. From the very great pressure.of dr- ;( mimttonros nnrl tho iinrYimfnrtfthlfinfiSH of our Dosition. 1 we were not enabled to hear all of the speeches of tha u Graduating Class. "We however heard two or threei tlmt of Mr. Gaston, of Chester, was an excellent speech., t At night tlio usual Commencement Ball camo off, at i the American Hall, were not a few where assembled ;.to join in tbo festivities of the occasion, and trip to the sound of the music gailj on the "light fantastic toe." As might be expected Columbia is filled with peo$e from all parts of the State. ?Thn hnninngg nf the Legislature is progressing-as usual, and the night sessions have commenced, ft will adjourn about the loth inst. ' 'h J The amusements of the season have not been very extensive?the Giantess has attracted some attention, and the Legerdemain and Hocus-pocus man, who Visited Lancaster during Court week, is here, fooling the people; so, that for fun and frolic, there is it meagre showing. TK/v olo/ilmn r\(* TmH/vo fn fill flm TTnn .Trifiiall -T. A.1V <..vv?iuil v..? "? ; Evans' place, will come off on Tuesday, and the Governor's election during the present week. We can only conjecture who is to be next Judge, but suppose that Mr. Glovor is likely to be elected. Mr. Manning is Governor by universal consent, or will be, without opposition. . On Monday, I called at the Drug-Storo of Messrs. Boatwright & Barkuloo, and examined a sett of the roost perfect Artificial Teeth; they aro made to repro- . sent the gums, out of Porcelain, and are true to nature, *fl Dr. S Blajiding, our old friend, neighbor and fellow- J citizen, is the maker on tbe plan of Dr. AUon?& notice ' fl of which may be found in our columns, taken from the I Family Friend. ' '< ><u 4 It is a good thing that the Session of the Legislature only comes once a year, and 'lasts but a lew weeks.? The printers and editors are worked almost to death, and the Hotel keepers are kept moving. It is troe it is their harvest, but if they do not earn every dollar they make, we ore no judge of small matters. The on- ^ ly class who reap the profit largely are the bar-keepers ?some liquor is used about these times, and no mis taKe?evidences 01 vvnicn are not wanting, n. nervous man stands a bad chance in a crowded hotel on the night of a Commencement ball. If a greater confusion of tongues can be found than this modern Babel, then wo give it up. The American Hotel seems to be the place for the people, and tho Courier's correspondent is right in all he says about Mr. Janney, the Proprietor, and Mr. Harris, his excellent Assistant On Tuesday, I visited the Portrait Gallery of Mr. "Win. G. Brown, a successful Artist who has been in Columbian few mouths. His picture of Gov. Means, Dr. It. W. Gibbes, W. B. Johston, Esq., Editor South Carolinian, arc all admirable likenesses, and the slightest glance will readily discover the persons for whom they have been taken. Mr. Brown has also a likeness j which he painted in Moxico, of General Taylor, whilst in Camp, which truly represents him in the character of Rough and Ready. Ho has an autograph letter of the old General, in which Mr. Brown is duly compli* mented for his success in paiuting General T. and Staff. On Monday there was a sale of the Negroes belonging the estate of B. L. McLaughlin, deceased. A Coach- J man aud houso servant brought the handsome sum of two thousand dollars?even a seamstress, we understand. sold for fifteen hundred dollars, and other ne groes in proportion?the best sale almost on record. On Tuesday, in the House of Representatives, the special orders were called for by Mr. Kershaw, and the House went into Committee of the Whole. The Electoral question was called up, and Mr. Kershaw having the floor, he advocated his propositions for a change? giving the election of President and Vice President to the people, with force and ability. As we intend to ask him for a copy of his speech, or rather for the gen- , oral outlines?he spoke from notes only?we shall not attempt a synopsis lest we might not do him justice. < Mr. Keitt, of Orange, spoke forcibly against changing^** the present mode?the question, we presume, was gen- 1 ' erally and ably discussed ; we loft duriug Mr. Keitt'e * 4